Around St. Mary's This Week (23 October 2022)

Today is World Mission Sunday!  This is a worldwide collection for the missionary church and it is our opportunity to assist at-need Catholic communities globally. Offerings are combined with offerings from other Catholics around the world and distributed to missions and dioceses. We are called to share from our abundance with those less fortunate who lack the basic essentials to know, love and praise God. Thank you for your support of this important work.

Prayers for the Sick and Faithful Departed

If you or a family member is sick please let us know and we shall add their name to our prayer list which is posted in the gathering space of the church.

We remember in pray those who have died recently including Richard Stepenuik, Devon Foster and Edward Louis.

Baptism for Children Over the Age of 7

The preparation for baptism of children over the age of seven is distinctly different than the process for infants and young children.  If you are seeking baptism for your child who is seven years of age or older, please contact Catherine Ecker (cecker@archtoronto.org) for details on the preparation process.

St. Mary’s Annual Memorial Mass

On Wednesday, November 2nd, All Souls Day we will pray for all of the faithful departed at the 7:00 p.m. Mass. Our Bereavement Committee has extended a personal invitation to all families who had a loved one buried from St. Mary’s Parish during the past year to attend this Mass. 

All parishioners are welcome to attend as we pray for our family near and far who have died this past year. When you arrive, we will give you a lit candle which is placed on the steps near the altar. After Mass everyone is invited to join us in the parish hall for simple refreshments and fellowship.

When Mass has ended you are welcome to take a candle home or to leave it in burning in the church. This Mass will also be livestreamed on our parish Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/St.MarysBarrie/live. 

Wedding Anniversaries

Living and Celebrating the Sacrament of Marriage

The expression a wedding lasts a day a marriage lasts a lifetime highlights the importance of celebrating and living marriage vows day after day. The married couples in our parish are a sign to us of God’s faithfulness and through their witness we are strengthened.

If you celebrated a wedding anniversary in October we shall pray with you and share in your joy at all Sunday (Saturday evening) Masses on October 29^th and 30^th.  We thank God for the gift of the married couples in our midst.

Ministry with Maturing Adults: For All Adults 55+

All are welcome to attend the various session offered for those in the second half of life. 

Wednesday, October 26^th: Maintaining a Healthy Brain.  You are invited to join us from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. for an informative and timely session lead by VON staff.  There is no cost to attend, refreshments will be available. Questions: contact Catherine Ecker at 705 728 2985 ext. 115

Thursday, October 27^th: Cards, Games and simple refreshments from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.  All are welcome.

Wednesday, November 23^rd:  Soup and a Movie - You are invited to join us at 12:00 noon for soup, bread and sweets followed by a movie. Cost: free will donation.

VON SMART (Seniors Maintaining Active Roles Together) Exercise Program is held on Tuesday mornings.

For details regarding the program and registration please call: 705 737 5044 ext. 221.

Christian Meditation is an ancient form of contemplative prayer rooted in the Christian tradition. Our next sessions will be on Tuesday, October 25^th at 10:30 a.m. on Zoom. If you are interested in learning more about this form of prayer or have questions please contact Catherine Ecker. (cecker@archtoronto.org or 705 728 2985 ext. 115) All are welcome.

RENEW TORONTO YOUNG ADULT CONFERENCE

Young adults, this is the reunion we’ve all been waiting for! We invite you to join us for RENEW Toronto on Saturday, November 5, 2022 at Canada Christian College (300 Water St., Whitby). Our annual young adult conference is open to ALL – men, women, single, married, young professionals – within the ages of 19-39. Look forward to a full day of worship, fellowship and a great line-up of keynote and workshop speakers. Renew your heart, renew your call, and renew our community.  Pleases visit Renew Toronto for more information.

Are You Interested in Becoming a Catholic?

If you would like more information about becoming a member of the Catholic Church please contact Catherine Ecker at 705 728 2985 ext. 115 or email: cecker@archtoronto.org. 

YOUTH MINISTRY

M.E.R.C.Y. (Ministry to Educate Roman Catholic Youth) is for youth grades J.K.-4 and gathers once a month on Friday nights from 6:00-7:30 p.m. where we explore our faith in a dynamic way through activities, games, crafts and music.  Our next gathering is Friday, November 11^th! 

EDGE is a youth ministry program for youth grades 5-8 to come together once a month on a Friday from 6:00-7:30 p.m.  EDGE is a safe, fun place for youth to find solid Catholic community, to get answers to their questions about faith and most importantly, to experience Jesus in a profound and personal way.  Our next gathering is Friday, November 25^th.

LIFE TEEN – for high school teens to explore their faith through talks, prayer and friendship meeting monthly on Sunday nights. Our next gathering is Sunday, October 30^th at the 4:00 p.m. 

For information on our Youth Ministry please email stmarysyouthministrybarrie@gmail.com or call Shannon Barks at 705-229-7426.